Beyond Paradise (2018)

Haunted by a tragic past, Shahrzad, a stunning music student, flees her homeland and ends up in an estranged marriage in Los Angeles, where her piano teacher's lover sparks a passion in her that threatens to destroy everything.

Director:

J.J. Alani

Writer:

J.J. Alani

Stars:

Daphne Zuniga, Spencer Grammer, Ryan Guzman

2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Daphne Zuniga	...	Elana
Spencer Grammer	...	Rachel
Ryan Guzman	...	Sebastian
Francia Raisa	...	Shahrzad
Yareli Arizmendi	...	Parissa
Misha Crosby	...	Ray
Christopher Maleki	...	Hosain (Tehran flashback)
Mel Fair	...	Dr. Richards
Kira Soltanovich	...	Kira
Ali Olomi	...	Faraz (Tehran flashback)
Max Amini	...	Sean
Dennis Nicomede	...	Music Executive
Jarrod Crawford	...	1st Immigration Officer
Rome Shadanloo	...	Zara (Tehran flashback)
Jennifer Nash	...	Sebastian's mother (off screen) (voice)

Storyline

Destiny weaves a love triangle: Shahrzad (Francia Raisa), a ravishing music student, her husband Sean (Max Amini), a rising stand-up comedian, and Sebastian (Ryan Guzman), a poetic Spanish-American gardener. Caught in the middle is Shahrzad's piano teacher, Elana (Daphne Zuniga), a former screen femme fatale, who is having her own furtive affair with Sebastian. Soon Sebastian falls in love with Shahrzad. Shahrzad discovers her convenience marriage with Sean is doomed. Unexpectedly, a friendship flourishes between Shahrzad (Muslim) and her piano teacher Elana (Jewish), nourished by their passion for classical music, especially Tchaikovsky's. It grows stronger when they learn of each other's secret tragedies. Shahrzad attracts the attention of two women, Elana and Parisa, her mother-in-law. Simultaneously, Shahrzad becomes the object of desire for three men: Sebastian, Sean, and Ray (Misha Crosby), the loner, young brother-in-law. Infusing the young lovers' secret romance are Rumi's ...

---

Plot Keywords:

jew | music teacher | piano | teacher student relationship | reference to scheherazade | 

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some action and mild rude humor

Did You Know?

Quotes

Elana: [to 'Shahrzad' Francia Raisa at 'Elana' Daphne Zuniga's bed] Life is a gift. But Youth is magic. Don't waste it.
Elana: I've had my magic. Not even cancer can take that away!

User Reviews

Touching story, great play

I watched it with my 20 years old daughter, and we both loved it very much. it's very romantic, touching story line, and great act by Ryan, Francia and Max. loved the poems and songs in the movie. Francia played as a Persian girl, and she did great. Ryan did a fantastic romantic act. RUMI poems were picked very well for this movie, and beautiful voice singing them. it brought up the women issues in Iran, which touched me a lot. I liked the original dialogue. the film is original, pointing to issues in the world such as tortures, forced immigration, forced marriage and relationships.

great movie to watch.

Details

Official Sites:

Newroz Films [United States] Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 January 2018 (USA)

Also Known As:

Birds of Paradise

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Newroz Films, The Group Entertainment, Films International Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.40:1